Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2019.01.09 - 30957MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #19009 BY: Commissioners Janet Jackson, District #21; Gwen Markham, District #9; Michael Spisz, District #3; Kristen Nelson, District *5; and Eileen Kowall, District #6 Ob.'rayoits-- Ve-,01 tF- (e, /4-ezeiwt: 2fitx ice IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OAKLAND COUNTY HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE .11'1 ict-f To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS even with the diligent efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement, human trafficking is the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world today, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and WHEREAS human trafficking is a crime against humanity that violates the most basic human rights and victims suffer a horrible injustice; and WHEREAS human trafficking victims are children - boys and girls, along with adults - men and women who are recruited, harbored, obtained, or exported through force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, involuntary servitude, debt bondage and other methods of slavery; and WHEREAS an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 American children - boys and girls, some as young as 14 years old, are at risk of being trafficked for commercial sex in the United States each year; and WHEREAS the State of Michigan has the 6th largest call volume to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline; and WHEREAS Michigan's Attorney General has identified human trafficking as a serious concern for law enforcement agencies, coordinating efforts for training, awareness and victim care; and WHEREAS the Human Trafficking Commission Act, Act 325 of 2014, established the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission for the prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation to the illegal act of human trafficking in the State; and WHEREAS on January 14, 2015 a majority of the new legislation from the 2014 Human Trafficking Legislative Package took effect to fight against the horrific crimes of human trafficking; and WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners recognized the seriousness of human trafficking and sponsored a successful event in 2014 to provide human trafficking professional training and public awareness in Oakland County; and WHEREAS Oakland County is dedicated to preventing and combating Human trafficking and through a collaborative effort has launched the Oakland County Human Trafficking website to enhance public awareness, conduct outreach in the community, and work with the victims of human trafficking; and WHEREAS Oakland County remains unrelenting in its efforts to end the exploitation and injustice suffered by the victims of this crime and in 2018, in partnership with Common Ground, launched the Oakland County Human Trafficking Hot Line to provide trafficking victims crisis support, intervention and program services. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners continue to recognize the ongoing threat of human trafficking and the necessity to be relentless in the protection of vulnerable adults and children and the safety of the citizens of Oakland County now and in the future. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the creation of the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force to serve as the leading resource for Oakland County in the prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation related to the cruel and illegal act of human trafficking in all its forms, through education, advocacy and collaboration. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners will appoint three (3) Commissioners from the majority party and two (2) Commissioner from the minority party to serve as the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) leadership in the following capacity (1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Chairperson (1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Majority Vice Chairperson (1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Minority Vice Chairperson (1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Majority Leadership Member (1) Oakland County Commissioner to serve as Minority Leadership Member BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force will appoint a representative (member) from each of the following to establish the Core Group: (1) Representative from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office (1) Representative from the Oakland County Health and Human Services Department (1) Representative from the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office (1) Representative from the Oakland County Circuit Court - Family/Youth Assistance (1) Representative from Oakland Schools (1) Representative from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (1) Representatives from Victim Services Agencies — CARE House and Common Ground (1) Representative as a Survivor of Human Trafficking BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appointments and length of service to the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force will be at the discretion of the Chairperson and will not exceed the term of the County Commission. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED if a vacancy occurs on the Task Force, the Chairperson of the OCHTTF will appoint a representative to fill the vacancy. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that other interested individuals, community organizations and non-profits may be invited to offer assistance by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force shall be authorized to do the following: (a) Identify sources of funding to combat human trafficking in Oakland County and make recommendations to appropriate agencies to access this funding when relevant. (b) Identify opportunities to provide information and training regarding human trafficking to law enforcement, judicial, social services, health care, educational and other appropriate agencies. (c) Collect and analyze information regarding human trafficking in Oakland County. (d) Improve the coordination of information sharing and the activities of agencies combatting human trafficking in Oakland County. (e) Review existing services and activities to combat human trafficking in Oakland County, make recommendations for improvement and provide informational materials to assist crime victims in accessing these programs. (f) Improve public awareness of the crime of human trafficking and preventative measures. (g) Make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners regarding potential changes in federal, state, county or local policies or laws that would enhance efforts to combat and prevent the crime of human trafficking. (h) Plan, coordinate and implement community events to expand public awareness, provide education and training, and the prevention of human trafficking. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners requests the cooperation of all related county agencies in the prevention, intervention, education and public awareness of human trafficking. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners authorizes the expenditure of up to $50,000 available in the General Fund Assigned Fund Balance titled Board of Commissioners Projects. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED in accordance with the Rules of the Board of Commissioners relating to Sponsorship of Events, Activities of Adjunct Committees the associated expenditure activity for this program is as follows: • $25,000 Resources: subject matter experts, consultants, intern or part-time non-eligible staff; • $15,000 Public Awareness: production of public service announcement videos, advertising on bill boards, buses and similar initiatives • $10,000 Outreach and Education: lectures, seminars, literature and similar materials BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the expenditure of funds shall be forwarded on recommendation of the Chairperson of the OCHTTF, with concurrence from the Majority and Minority Vice Chairpersons, for approval by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for purposes of human trafficking prevention, intervention, education and public awareness. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report will be submitted to the Legislative Affairs & Government Operations Committee and the Finance Committee outlining the expenditures and activities of the OCHTTF quarterly. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward copies to Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nesse!, the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, The Michigan Rescue and Reach Coalition, Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland Schools, Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority, Crossroads for Youth, Jewish Family Services, Youth Assistance for Oakland County and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution. Commissioner ,12 District #21 -Commissioner MicMoisz District #3 Commissioner District Commissioner I rif# Làw commissi District # °neck( 1(1.d.a.6-ne/ C ftIpi issioner 'Distr ct # /d ortimissioner District . --4eS471-8-z-4— / Commissioner Eilee Distdct #6 ii- Commi§si after Ditrict -erlt Commissioner Gwen M rkham \ District #9 '1(:Gic/VA kLit-- Commissioner Kristen Nelson District #5 f6to\se, a Commigioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #19009 January 9, 2019 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Legislative Affairs and Government Affairs Operations Committee. There were no objections,